Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Rock River, WY

White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site accommodates tent and RV camping with pets allowed throughout its forested setting 5 miles from the main highway. Multiple campsites with existing fire rings are scattered among the trees, providing secluded spots for campers with dogs. The nearby Deep Creek Campground and Bow River Campground both welcome pets on leashes and provide picnic tables and toilet facilities. Access roads are well-maintained gravel, suitable for most vehicles including some larger RVs, though finding level spots can be challenging. Several campsites have pull-outs from the forest service roads, with some sites offering creek access where dogs can cool off. The campgrounds show evidence of moose and elk, requiring pet owners to maintain control of their animals.

Medicine Bow National Forest provides numerous pet-friendly camping options with varying levels of amenities. Visitors with pets have observed moose and wildlife throughout the camping areas, particularly at Deep Creek Campground where six moose were spotted moving through campsites. Forest Service Road 330C offers dispersed camping directly beside the Little Laramie River, providing isolated spots for campers with dogs. Most established campgrounds have pit toilets and fire rings, but water availability varies—campers should verify water access before arrival as some pumps may be non-operational seasonally. The region experiences significant mosquito activity in summer months, particularly at Bow River Campground where protective measures for both humans and pets are essential. Nearby hiking trails accommodate dogs, with the Crater Lake Trail accessible from Deep Creek providing alpine lake views.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Rock River, Wyoming (47)

    1. White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site

    6 Reviews
    Elk Mountain, WY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    "Nice isolated spot in the National Forest, 5 mi from the main highway. Nice view with few fire rings. No one was around."

    2. Wheatland Reservoir #3

    1 Review
    Rock River, WY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 777-4600

    3. Deep Creek Campground

    7 Reviews
    Centennial, WY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 326-5258

    $10 / night

    "If you have time, hike the nearby Crater Lake Trail for a view of an alpine lake."

    "We had six moose, one with a very tiny baby come through our site at night and in the morning and the site next to us to feed in the big meadow."

    4. Brooklyn Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Centennial, WY
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    $20 / night

    "We were up at Brooklyn Lake over the holiday weekend. The campground was closed but apparently in Wyoming a campground becomes dispersed if it’s not officially open."

    "One of my favorite parts about this campground is that every site does have a view of the lake."

    5. Sugarloaf Campground

    9 Reviews
    Centennial, WY
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    $20 / night

    "This was my first experience in this area of SE Wyoming, but it did not disappoint. My boyfriend pulled off here on a cross country drive via I-80. We enjoyed our drives to and fro the site."

    "Lots of hikes and lakes in walking distance"

    6. Bow River

    4 Reviews
    Elk Mountain, WY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 326-5258

    "This is on the edge of the main part of Medicine Bow National forest, not too far from interstate 80. The Medicine Bow river runs through camp."

    "I am not the biggest fan of campgrounds because they are usually packed, noisy and not a fun way to 'get away from it all'."

    7. North Fork Campground (WY)

    5 Reviews
    Centennial, WY
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    $20 / night

    "Great spot super close to the river. Lots of dispersed camping just outside this established campground."

    "There a a lot of dispersed options close by that I would utilize in the future but happy to support the campground."

    9. Laramie Overlook Disperesed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Centennial, WY
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    "Short drive into the Medicine Bow National forest and you’re here. There are a couple of loops right as you enter, which are the most level places to park a rig."

    "I tent camped tucked into the forest a bit. The birch was dripping sap all night and I think I would have put my tent in the open if I had known. Some nice little fire pits."

    10. Saratoga Lake Campground

    23 Reviews
    Saratoga, WY
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 326-8335

    "I stayed here on a bicycle tour across American in 2016 and again while driving across later in 2016."

    "Is Saratoga lake, and the aptly named Saratoga Lake Campground. It has tiers of camp sites mostly set up for RV'S but a few towards the water which tent campers will be comfortable."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Rock River, WY

237 Reviews of 47 Rock River Campgrounds


  • Alexandra T.
    Oct. 17, 2020

    Foote Public Access Area Dispersed

    Nice, secluded, & quiet

    This place is down a long dirt ride through private property so be kind and mind the hours. When you get to the end, take the right fork and you’ll find two, rather close together, camping areas. When nobody is here it’s wonderful - right next to a creek, dogs can run around, and it is so very quiet and secluded. If I’m ever in Wyoming I’ll head back to this little spot.

    There’s also a boat ramp, and I imagine if you fish, the creek would be a nice little spot to fish.

  • Shannon O.
    Jun. 19, 2019

    Medicine Bow National Forest Brooklyn Lake Campground

    Very pretty, lots of beetle kill. :(

    Beautiful area of Wyoming. The campground is clean and remote, but busy. There was a lot of beetle kill removal work going on when I was there, but I think that has slowed down some.  Nice trails close by and the lake is lovely.

  • L
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Sanger Access Area, Dispersed Camping

    Great free camping!

    We stayed here for a night with our dog while passing through Wyoming. The area is BEAUTIFUL. Lots of wildlife and scenic views. Bathrooms were clean and conveniently scattered throughout the sites. Easy to find if you just follow the signs for camping! We made it back pretty far in our all wheel drive lower clearance Subaru. LOTS of mosquitoes though, so make sure to bring bug spray or cover up!

  • T
    Jun. 13, 2021

    Pole Mountain Dispersed Camping

    Great dispersed camping

    This spot was a very pleasant surprise and quite frankly didn’t think this part of Wyoming would be so pretty! The sites are very well spaced so once you’re parked, you feel completely alone. There was a decent amount of road traffic but that wasn’t bothersome to us. We found a lot of good walking/hiking nearby with the closest being the medicine bow picnic area that we walked to from our site. We drove down nearly to the end of the road and are really glad we did because the sites were really nice. Cell crevice wasn’t great on t-mobile. Loved how close to the highway this spot was but how far away it felt. The gravel road was one of the most well maintained we’ve been on. Great easy access with trailers of just about any size. Would return!

  • Shelby  N.
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Brooklyn Lake Campground

    Lots of Nearby Trails

    We were up at Brooklyn Lake over the holiday weekend. The campground was closed but apparently in Wyoming a campground becomes dispersed if it’s not officially open. We had to walk our things in to our site as the gate was down but it was worth it. We got a site just above the lake and it was quiet and very beautiful. Bring bug spray as the mosquitos are very bad. There were three trail heads at the campground all with multiple hike options which was really nice to have access to some beautiful hikes without getting into the car. The toilets were even open despite the campground being closed.

  • W
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Forest Road 318

    Great alternative to Sugarloaf Campground

    As usual, Sugarloaf campground was full. Fortunately, I just had to go to opposite side of the highway for a good secluded campsite. About 3 other campers were here, but I was able to find a a secluded campsite behind some trees. Dogs appreciated being off leash.

  • Amy T.
    Jul. 27, 2018

    RJourney Laramie RV Resort (formerly Laramie KOA)

    Good stopover on our way home from Yellowstone

    Close to the highway and the University of Wyoming.. Clean restroom facilities, friendly staff, and nice camp store. Only negatives were the campsites were a bit small, though we were on the end of an aisle and we only had a pop up) and the WiFi signal was pretty weak.

  • Erin H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Government Gully Rd - Dispersed

    Some confusion finding the open camping area.

    Review July 2023

    FS 726  & FS728 (aka Govertment Gulch/Government Gully)

    Medicine Bow NF

    Laramie, WY

    41.2430,-105.4487

    14nt Stay Limit. $0

    Elev 8743'

    Ver 2-3b, ATT 3b, No booster

    Dirt/Grass 

    Road is in good shape. 

    Dump & Water available at the Prison Museum, Water also available at the Maverick by the gas pumps.

    Propane available at 3 locations, we used the 'Fly Shop', who were also a wealth of information on local happenings & fishing.

    Laundry at Spic & Span. $3.00 wash, $1.00 for 32min dryer

    Walmart & Ridleys for groceries. Farmers Market friday afternoons in season.

    Some noise from I80 depending on wind direction.

    Rig: 34' 5th Wheel, 13'4" Profile

    Confusion about this road being closed.

    FS 726 & 728 ARE on the Forrest Svc usage map.

    We found FS728 to have a structure at the entrance from old HWY30. It looked like there might be a road back behind it, but we didn't want to risk trespass to find out. 

    FS726 IS open from the Old HWY 30 side (Exit 323 off I80), and able to camp within 100' of the road. 

    There is an open meadow at the entrance that can hold several rigs (any size) with reasonable spacing, but we were alone here most of the time so it wasn't an issue. There are spots further up that can hold small to medium sized rigs, or larger if you are adventurous/really good at leveling. Some have gorgous views overlooking the valley & snow capped mountains in the distance. We double checked with a Ranger before settting up and have had Rangers drive through twice since we've been here. No issues what so ever.

    So why the confusion? 

    Looking at older maps, there appears to have once been an entrance to FS726 further West that no longer exists? It is accesible from Old HWY 30, at the 323 exit. 

    Additionally the road names 'Government Gully' & 'Government Gulch' used in  some reviews are apparently not/no longer are FS726, although they seem to run together for a short bit? It's very confusing. 

    Highly recommend using a FS Usage Map when scouting this area to make certain you are where you think you are as the roads aren't the best marked we've ever seen and those that are there are pretty faded. If in doubt, the FS office in town was extremely kind & helpful in showing us where we could fit.

    Our Spot:

    We wound up here after 2hrs scouting out Pole Mountain/Pilot Hill area on the other side of I80. 

    This was the week before July 4th, and it was crowded with both campers, and RV's that seem to have been placed to mark their spot for the holiday (Slides not out, no camping stuff out etc). No judgements, they were within their 14day limit. Just had a hard time finding a spot on that side of I80. 

    Spots are pretty far back (although roads were pretty good), not many spots open, lots of cow patties, and not the levelist of sites. Gorgeous area, but we were here to see friends in Laramie and would be back & forth to town a lot, so didn't want a long drive just to get back to the highway each day.

    We found it easy to find a spot on this side of I80 (everyone's on the other side). 

    The whole area is rolling meadows & forrest, so be prepared to spend some time leveling. In fact if you can, take a rest stop, have a snack, destress before entering & leveling... it might save a marraige.

    Wildlife here has been fantastic. Pronghorns in the morning as I have my coffee, and Elk in the evenings... Every...Day. 

    There is no off roading in this area. It is marked at the entrance, and has wooden cross fences with signage at the back of the established sites further up the road. They take that 100' from road seriously.... nice about it... but to quote Gandolf 'You go thus far & no farther'.

    CAUTIONS:

    Exit 323 U25mph (really sharp).

    This U curve is no joke. It's sharp, it's uphill/downhill grade, tilts slightly kind of like a roller coaster in the middle, and is a blind curve because of the trees. Not such a problem coming off Exit 323, the problem is more other drivers coming downhill at the curve from Old HWY30. We've seen 2 wipeouts that missed the curve (one a semi) and slide across oncoming (entrance to FS726) traffic. By the skid marks & disturbed ground, this isn't the first accident at this curve.

    Brakes & Towing:

    This is a mountain area. In only 6 days going back & forth the 8m to town to visit friends, we've seen 2 5th wheels pulling off I80 smoking like crazy, and 2 on the side of the road.

    WIND:

    Seriously, it gets windy here, and with no warning. Park accordingly, don't leave awnings out unattended, secure ground stuff. Our preffered scouted spot was beautiful until we moved the rig to it & found that there was no way to get level without putting our beam to the wind. After 3 tries, we opted for our 2nd choice where we could position nose to the wind & still get 'levelish'. Are we perfectly level, nope, but we aren't 'welcome to the carnival fun house' unlevel either :)


Guide to Rock River

The Medicine Bow National Forest surrounding Rock River offers diverse camping options between 7,500-10,000 feet elevation. Summer temperatures range from 40-80°F with significant temperature drops after sunset. Most campgrounds in this region open from June through September, with high-elevation sites having shorter seasons due to snow conditions.

What to do

Fishing at alpine lakes: Several campgrounds provide access to fishing opportunities. At Brooklyn Lake Campground, campers can enjoy fishing right from the shore. "We brought our kayaks and stand up paddle boards, and really enjoyed doing this in the lake. We literally just walked a few steps and put our boards and kayaks in the water!" reported one visitor.

Wildlife viewing: The Snowy Range area hosts abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Deep Creek Campground, wildlife sightings are common. A camper noted: "Beautiful hike in the summer or snowshoeing in the winter. Not matter the time of year is the best time to go," demonstrating the year-round appeal.

Hiking on nearby trails: Many campgrounds offer immediate trail access. At Sugarloaf Campground, a camper shared: "From any site, there are terrific views of the Snowy Range, and numerous trails in the area offer great hiking to lots of pretty little lakes."

What campers like

Secluded sites: The dispersed camping options provide privacy not found at established campgrounds. At Forest Service Road 330C, a camper explained: "We found a great spot right next to the river on forest road 330C near North Fork Campground. The area was fairly busy on Labor Day weekend but we were basically isolated in this spot."

Star-gazing opportunities: The remote location creates excellent night sky viewing. One Brooklyn Lake visitor mentioned: "We really enjoyed hanging our hammocks and sitting by the fire at night. We also really enjoyed some great hikes that were nearby."

Mountain views: The Medicine Bow mountains create dramatic backdrops for campsites. A visitor to North Fork Campground noted: "Pretty open sites; but the sites along the creek are nice and views of the mountains. Mosquitoes not as bad here as in Libby Creek area."

What you should know

Weather considerations: High elevation camping means unpredictable weather patterns. A Sugarloaf Campground visitor warned: "The wind was consistently 25mph+ the whole weekend, but the hiking and alpine lakes just off the campground were great."

Site availability challenges: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "We arrived on Wednesday morning to find all sites occupied. So we drove around for a little while before heading to Brooklyn Lake," noted one Sugarloaf camper.

Water availability varies: Water sources may be unreliable depending on season and campground. At Bow River Campground, one reviewer cautioned: "We quickly discovered that no water could be collected from the handpump. Thankfully, we brought some water with us."

Insect protection needed: Mosquitoes can be prolific during summer months. "It was like a horror movie with them covering the windows of our RV and then sneaking down the Refrigerator ventilation shaft," described one Bow River camper.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with lake access: Children enjoy water activities at several campgrounds. At Brooklyn Lake, a visitor shared: "This campsite was pretty awesome, and the views and scenery were beautiful. One of my favorite parts about this campground is that every site does have a view of the lake."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many families enjoy wildlife encounters from safe distances. A Deep Creek visitor reported: "We had six moose, one with a very tiny baby come through our site at night and in the morning and the site next to us to feed in the big meadow."

Short hiking options: Some locations offer family-friendly trails. "There are so many wildflowers and little cascades that even a short stroll with children is rewarding," noted a Sugarloaf camper.

Tips for RVers

Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require careful navigation. A visitor to White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site cautioned: "We have a 36 ft fifthwheel. The road has washboard and is quite steep in places. The biggest issue was finding a place to turn around."

Limited level sites: Finding suitable parking for larger vehicles presents challenges. "No sites are level so bring your legos," advised one White Rock Canyon camper, referring to leveling blocks.

Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. A visitor reported about White Rock: "T-mobile was dismal, but Verizon was usable with a solid 4G 2bars."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rock River, WY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rock River, WY is White Rock Canyon Dispersed Site with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rock River, WY?

TheDyrt.com has all 47 dog-friendly camping locations near Rock River, WY, with real photos and reviews from campers.